3 ‘guns for hire’ killed in Maguindanao checkpoint shootout

PARANG, Maguindanao – Police killed three suspected guns for hire in a shootout here Monday, an official said Tuesday.

Supt. Ibrahim Jambiran, the town police chief, said the three men were on a motorcycle when flagged at a checkpoint in Barangay Gumagadong Calawag at about 11 a.m.

Instead of yielding, he said two of the men drew firearms and opened fire on the policemen.

They were killed in the exchange of fire, Jambiran said.

The official said the men were later identified as Abib Sarotsong, Acero Kibad and Todto Pangalian, all of Barangay Liong in nearby Barira town.

Jambiran said it turned out the suspects were involved in the illegal drug trade and in the series of killings here, including last month’s murder of a woman and a former village official.

Recovered from the slain suspects were two cal.-45 pistols and ammunition. /cbb